What is the medicine lovastatin used for?

What is the medicine lovastatin used for?

Lovastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood. This medicine may also help prevent medical problems (eg, chest pain, heart attack, stroke) caused by fat clogging the blood vessels.

What is the side effect of lovastatin?

Lovastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Is lovastatin the same as atorvastatin?

Both lovastatin and atorvastatin are FDA-approved, cholesterol-lowering drugs. They both work as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that decrease the production of cholesterol in the liver. However, lovastatin has a shorter half-life than atorvastatin, and it is usually recommended to be taken at night.

When should I take lovastatin 40 mg?

Lovastatin immediate-release tablets should be taken with the evening meal. Lovastatin extended-release tablets should be taken in the evening at bedtime.

Does lovastatin make you tired?

In recent years, researchers discovered that people taking statins reported increased levels of general fatigue and tiredness, especially after exertion. A study from the University of California San Diego found that people taking statins experienced lower levels of energy than people who took a placebo.

Is lovastatin blood pressure pill?

Lovastatin is in a class of medications called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

What foods to avoid when taking lovastatin?

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or lovastatin will not be as effective. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Grapefruit may interact with lovastatin and lead to unwanted side effects.

Which is the safest statin drug to use?

Simvastatin and pravastatin had the best safety profile, according to this review. Overall, the researchers found a 9 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes in people taking statins.

How long does it take for lovastatin to lower cholesterol?

Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It is very important to continue to follow your doctor’s advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Do statins cause weight loss?

People who did take statins consumed more calories and fat over time, and gained more weight. The study also showed that statin users had a faster increase in body mass index (BMI) than those who didn’t use statins.

Can lovastatin cause anxiety?

They have been linked to both beneficial and adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes, including an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicidality, as well as seizures.